Bruges in 2 days is the perfect addition to any trip throughout Europe. This fairytale city and hidden gem located in Belgium has everything from enchanting canals to awe-inspiring historical landmarks, this city has so much to offer and spending 2 days in Bruges is just enough time to fully enjoy it! I visited Bruges in January 2023 and it was absolutely stunning!
In this article, you’ll find out how to spend 2 days in Bruges, what to see and do, as well as other things to do in Bruges if you have extra time, different tours you can look at taking, and details from my trip to Bruges about where I stayed and my favourite parts!
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How to See Bruges in 2 Days
2 Days in Bruges Itinerary: Day One
Optional: Start your 2 days in Bruges with a Free Walking Tour
The first thing I do when arriving to a new place in Europe is a free walking tour. I absolutely love to be taken around a new city by a local (or someone who is super familiar with the place) to get a nice introduction and my initial grounding. Plus, free walking tours usually include stories and background information about each sight they take you to, and at the end of the tour you can ask your guide for tips and tricks about Bruges (like places to eat, other things to see, etc.).
I made this an optional first thing to do once you arrive in Bruges, because I know a lot of travellers prefer to discover a city on their own without a guide. Also, some spots included in most of the Bruges walking tours are also mentioned in this guide! So you might be revisiting some spots if you start with a free walking tour around the city. But, you can return to your favourite spots and spend more time exploring if that’d what you prefer to do.
The free walking tour I took was by Legends of Bruges and we met in the Grote Markt Square. I highly recommend it – I loved this tour and all of the lore and stories about Bruges we hear.
Free walking tours are “pay what you like” so make sure to have some cash on you to tip your guide at the end of the tour!
Visit Grote Markt Square
Grote Markt, also known as Market Square, is the main square in Bruges city center and is the perfect place to start your time here. It’s characterized by buildings that look like they’re from a storybook and has to be one of my favourite town squares in Europe because it is so picturesque!
This is a great place to take amazing photos, and if you’re visiting around Christmas time, this is where the Christmas Market is!
Check out Belfry Tower (Belfort) and Climb to the Top
In the Grote Markt is the iconic Belfry Tower, a medieval bell tower standing tall in the heart of Bruges. It dates back to the 13th century and is a UNESCO world heritage site, it used to be used to spot fires at a distance and any invaders that were trying to enter the city.
You can pay to climb to the top of the Belfry (about 366 stairs!) for breathtaking panoramic views of Bruges’ canals and historic buildings. Don’t forget to check the tower’s opening hours and ticket information before planning your visit!
Basilica of the Holy Blood and Burg Square
At Burg Square, a historic gem in Bruges, you’ll find the fascinating Basilica of the Holy Blood. This remarkable Basilica dates back to the 12th century and holds great religious and historical significance. The basilica is renowned for its relic, said to contain a drop of the Jesus Christ’s blood, making it a destination for pilgrimage for believers from around the world.
In Burg Square itself, you’ll also encounter the Gothic Town Hall, a stunning architectural masterpiece that adds to the charm of the square. Be sure to explore the square’s surroundings and snap some amazing photos!
Grab a Waffle at the Waffle Truck
In Burg Square, one thing you cannot miss (in fact I felt it deserved it’s own spot on this 2 day Bruges itinerary), is stopping at the waffle truck and getting a Liege waffle! Liege waffles are an absolute gem in Belgium, with pearl sugar in the batter they are something you absolutely cannot miss in Belgium. I found the best place to get them was at the waffle truck in Burg Square because he makes them fresh right there in front of you (it’s worth the wait if there’s a line!).
Hansa Quarter
A short walk from Burg Square is the Hansa Quarter, which was once the bustling hub of Bruges trading activities. Today, this is where you can find a statue of Jan Van Eyck, a beloved painter that spent a lot of time in Bruges!
You can explore the Hansa Quarter to see beautiful ancient houses with gabled roofs and spend time getting lost in this charming neighborhood!
Explore the Canals of Bruges & Take a Canal Boat Tour
Exploring Bruges in 2 days leaves you plenty of time to explore the incredible canals that make this city so picturesque! Wander the canals and get lost taking photos and just admiring the beauty of the city. If you’re looking for a more indepth experience of Bruges’ canals, consider booking a canal boat tour!
Check out this all in one Canal boat tour and Bruges walking tour!
See the Windmills
On the outskirts of the city, Bruges has a few windmills that you can visit. The closest one to the main part of the city is the Bonne-Chière windmill. You can easily walk there from Hansa Quarter (or really any other part of Bruges!). Make sure to admire it from the bottom, but also climb the hill it’s on for a nice view of Bruges!
Take A Walking Tour, This Time at Night
Another tour I enjoyed during my 2 days in Bruges was a walking tour at night. This tour brought us to different places around Bruges and focused on stories and lore about the city’s past. It was definitely a highlight of our time in Bruges and I loved being out at night, wandering the city with a different vibe after the sun set.
We took the free Bruges By Night Walking Tour by Legends of Bruges and loved it!
Interested in Other Bruges Tours? Here are a few with amazing reviews:
- Bruges Beer Experience Museum With Audio Guide
- Belgian Waffle-Making Workshop with Beer Tasting
- Bruges City Bike Tour
- Belgian Chocolate Workshop
Bruges 2 Day Itinerary: Day Two
Snap a Photo at Rosary Quay (Rozenhoedkaai)
One of the most popular spots to take a photo in Bruges is at the Rosary Quay – this is a beautiful spot in the city where pretty buildings with stunning architecture meet a wider spot of the canals. You cannot visit Bruges without snapping a picture here!
Church of Our Lady
A beautiful church in Bruges, Church of Our Lady is a popular spot to visit and something you should definitely add to your 2 day Bruges itinerary. This Church is stunning from the outside, and also houses the tombs of Charles the Bold and Mary of Burgundy. The Church of Our Lady is also home to the famous sculpture Madonna and Child by Michelangelo.
Sint-Janshospitaal
Sint-Janshospitaal (St John’s Hospital) is one of the oldest preserved hospitals in Europe and is super cool to see. Inside you can see old medical instruments from the 17th century and see what an old hospital looks like!
Sint-Janshospitaal was under construction in 2023, but has reopened! You can visit the outside of the hospital and see the building itself, or visit the museum inside the hospital.
Visit the Halve Maan Brewery and see
Belgium is known for its beer and the Halve Maan Brewery is a Bruges brewery that dates back to 1856! Here you can take a brewery tour, see the underground beer pipeline they built (!), have a meal in their restaurant, or try their city beer, the Brugse Zot.
Stop at Begijnhof
During your 2 days in Bruges be sure to visit Begijnjof, a Beguinage founded in 1245. This spot is a peaceful, tranquil place with little white houses surrounding a beautiful courtyard, where celibate, semi-religious women would live. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site where some nuns live today. It is free to visit, and if you take a walking tour you’ll be sure to hear more about the history of this beautiful place in Bruges.
Minnewater Park & Swans
Nearby Begijnhof is Minnewater Park and the Lake of Love. This is a pretty spot to take photos, have a picnic, or just enjoy the scenery Bruges has to offer. This is also a popular place where the famous swans of Bruges hang out. If you haven’t seen any floating in the canals throughout the city, head to Minnewater Park for your chance to see a whole bunch!
Other Things to do During Your 2 Days in Bruges:
If you’re finding you want to replace something on the above itinerary with a different activity, a few other things to check out in Bruges include:
- Check out the Groeninge museum
- Go for a ride in a horse drawn carriage
- Visit the Choco-Story Chocolate Museum
- Take a Day Trip to Flanders Fields
How to Get to Bruges
Figuring out how to get around Europe can be a challenge in itself when first planning your trip, but getting to Bruges is convenient and accessible, thanks to its central location in Europe! You can easily get to Bruges by train or bus from major cities in Europe, like Brussels and Paris.
Getting to Bruges by Airplane:
The nearest international airport is Brussels Airport (BRU), and the second closest is Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris. Unfortunately, you cannot fly directly to Bruges! From either airport, you can choose to take either a train or a bus, or grab a rental car and drive.
Getting to Bruges by Train
Taking the train is the faster method of public transportation to get to Bruges. It takes just over an hour to travel from Brussels to Bruges via train – we bought our tickets at the official Belgian Train website! A single, one way ticket in the summer (at the time of writing) was about 16 euros from Brussels to Bruges. Most trains from Brussels to Bruges are direct (they do not require you to transfer trains).
From Paris to Bruges, the train takes around 3 hours (sometimes just under, sometimes just over), and most (if not all) trains require you to transfer at some point in the journey. Prices for a single, one-way ticket from Paris to Bruges can really fluctuate in price. I’ve seen some tickets for 40 euro but I’ve also seen them priced at 107 euro. Because the trip is an International Journey (France -> Belgium), the trains you take are typically a bit more expensive.
We traveled from Bruges to Paris and booked our tickets through SNCF Connect and paid 92.20 euro for 2 one way tickets from Bruges to Paris. Part of our tickets arrived via mail, so make sure to book your tickets in advance before leaving for your trip (if possible!).
Getting to Bruges by Bus
From Brussels and Paris, you can also take a bus to Bruges, although it does take quite a bit more time. The bus from Paris to Bruges takes around 4.5-5 hours, and at the time of writing costs between 40-80 euros via FlixBus. The bus from Brussels to Bruges takes about 1.5-2 hours and costs between 10-15 euros via FlixBus.
Getting to Bruges by Car
If you have a car, you can get to Bruges from anywhere in Europe! The drive from Paris to Bruges takes just under 4 hours, and the drive from Brussels to Bruges takes around 1.5 hours. You can check with your hotel if they have parking for your car once you arrive!
Getting Around Bruges
Once you arrive in Bruges, the city is very walkable and the best way to explore is on foot! On our trip to Bruges, we didn’t pay for local transportation once, as we walked everywhere. There are public buses if you’re not interested in walking, but buying the bus tickets seemed like a hassle to us and we enjoyed walking around the city anyway. Another great option is renting a bike to explore.
We arrived in Bruges via train, and walked from the train station to our accommodation. It was a longer walk because our accommodation was on the opposite side of the city from the train station, but it was still doable! If you do choose to walk, be prepared for cobblestone sidewalks with your suitcase.
Where to Stay in Bruges
There are a ton of amazing hotels in Bruges to stay at! Before you decide to book a hotel, I recommend checking out on a map where the hotel is, and staying as central as possible to the historic center to really immerse yourself.
Depending on your budget, here are some hotel options:
- The Notary: A beautiful hotel with an outdoor pool and garden. The rooms look like they are made for royalty. This Bruges hotel is on the more expensive side!
- B&B Het Colettientje: This B&B is close to the Bruges train station and the Beguinage, and is about a 15 minute walk to Grote Markt. They serve a continental breakfast included in the price of your booking, and are priced in the mid-budget area!
- St Christopher’s Bauhaus: This is where we stayed on our trip to Bruges – it is on the cheaper side as it is technically a hostel, although we booked a private room for 2 people. I love staying in hostels to save money and meet other travellers! Hostels are also a great way to save money in Europe. If you book this hostel through their website, a continental breakfast is included in the price. St Christophers is also connected to a Bauhaus (traditional Belgian bar) if you’re interested in Belgian beers. This hostel is a 13 minute walk to the Grote Markt making it a great location choice as well.
When to Visit Bruges
The best time to visit Bruges really depends on what you’re looking for – because honestly it is an amazing place to visit year-round! The summer months, from June to August, are the peak tourism season, with the best weather and longer days. Summer aso brings more crowds though!
Spring (April to May) and early autumn (September to October) has milder temperatures and fewer crowds, which can be really nice for exploring the city.
Visiting from November to February will have colder weather because it is winter in Bruges, but you’ll get to experience the winter charm of the city! The Bruges Christmas Market also runs every year, usually in late November to early January. This can be a treat to visit because there are Christmas decorations and Grote Markt is filled with market booths.
Whenever you choose to visit, Bruges is pure magic and you will not be disappointed either way!
My Trip to Bruges Details
How we spent 2 days in Bruges at a glance:
- Where we stayed: St Christopher’s Inn at the Bauhaus
- How long we spent: Technically 3 days/2 nights, but we arrived mid-morning on day 1 and left incredibly early on day 3 (before sunrise). So we had about 2 days in Bruges.
- Where we arrived from: We took the train from Ghent, Belgium (a stop on the train ride from Brussels -> Bruges).
- Where we went after Bruges: We took the train from Bruges to Paris, France
- Time of year we were there: We visited Bruges in early January 2023 (winter time)
- How we got around Bruges: We walked everywhere!
- Our entire 2 week Europe trip itinerary: Land in Amsterdam -> 2 days in Brussels -> Ghent -> Bruges -> Paris -> back to Amsterdam
2 Days in Bruges Summary
Planning a trip to Europe can be difficult, but Bruges in 2 days is the perfect addition to any European itinerary, offering a fairytale experience that will leave you blown away! From its enchanting canals to awe-inspiring historical landmarks, this hidden gem in Belgium has so much to offer, and two days in Bruges is just enough time to immerse yourself in it. Having visited Bruges in January 2023, I can confidently say it hands down deserves a stop on your Europe trip!
Hopefully this 2 day Bruges Travel Guide helped you plan your trip to this amazing fairytale city!
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Bruges in 2 Days FAQ
Yes! 2 days is the perfect amount of time to spend visiting Bruges. 2 days will allow you to see everything you want, while having time to take photos, and will give you the opportunity to see Bruges both during daytime and after dark.
You can visit Bruges in one day! It is a popular day trip from cities like Paris, Brussels, and even Amsterdam. If you only have 1 day to spend in Bruges, it is definitely doable!
Whether Brussels or Bruges is nicer really comes down to personal preference. Brussels has more of a bigger city vibe and Bruges is encompassed by an enchanted fairytale vibe. I loved Brussels when I was there, but if I had to pick one, personally I think Bruges is nicer!
Yes, Bruges is very tourist friendly! Bruges is a very popular spot to visit, especially during high season in the summer. There are plenty of hotels, tours, and restaurants for tourists in Bruges.
Bruges is best known for being an enchanting, fairy tale town with beautiful canals and architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an incredibly walkable city, and not to mention picturesque! Bruges is also known for its beautiful swans that are cared for by the city and swim the canals.
Yes, Bruges is a very popular day trip from Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam! Brussels would be the closest (and easiest) big city to visit Bruges on a day trip, as there is a direct train that takes just over an hour in travel time.
Bruges is one of the most walkable cities I have visited. You can easily walk all around the main areas – I did not rely on public transportation within Bruges once during my visit!
Yes! I highly recommend visiting Bruges. It is such a beautiful, charming town with great and interesting legends and history. If you’re interested in hearing some of the stories about Bruges, take a free walking tour with the Legends of Bruges and you won’t be disappointed!
Bruges isn’t the “hidden gem” it once was, and yes it can be very touristy (especially in the summer). The best way to avoid crowds in Bruges is to spend more than 1 day here. Because it’s a very popular day trip, a lot of tourists arrive mid-morning and leave early evening. This means you’ll have way less crowds early morning and late evening once all of the tours and day trippers leave!
The best time to Bruges really depends on what you’re after. Visiting during Christmas time (months of November/December/early January) will bring a certain charm as the city is decorated in Christmas lights and has a special vibe. For the best weather, visit in the summer months (June – August). For less crowds, visit in shoulder season (May or September).
Yes, there are still swans in Bruges, and according to the legends, swans have been in Bruges for a long time! Today, they are cared for by the city and visitors are likely to see them swimming the canals or resting at Minnewater Park.
Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
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